A DJ mix of CITYPOP tracks ideal for a night drive in the city

Cherish these precious moments accompanied by this music

"Midnight Urban Drive MIX" is a seamless mix of CITYPOP gems that ​capture the essence of a nighttime city.

This mix opens with 'TOKAI' by Taeko Onuki, a track strongly inspired by ​1970s US New Soul.

By seamlessly listening to songs with the same vibe, you might discover ​hidden charms in those tracks you hadn’t noticed before.

Take a moment to feel like you're cruising through the midnight streets ​of Tokyo with these captivating CITYPOP tracks.

""Tokai" is a track from SUNSHOWER, the second studio album ​by Taeko Onuki, released in 1977.

This album, featuring a stellar lineup of musicians including ​Ryuichi Sakamoto and Chris Parker, boldly incorporated ​elements of fusion, crossover, and AOR, making it a ​groundbreaking work that represents the early era of city pop.

Taeko Onuki herself mentioned that the song was inspired by ​Stevie Wonder, likely referring to the lyrical concept, which ​appears to draw influence from Living for the City.

However, in an interview, arranger Ryuichi Sakamoto stated that ​the track's arrangement was influenced by Marvin Gaye's What's ​Going On.

At its core, this song turned out to be a work deeply shaped by ​the New Soul movement of 1970s America, even if unintentional

Makoto Iwabuchi, a singer-songwriter from Sendai who is ​currently active as a gospel singer, debuted with his album ​SUPER MOON in 1977.

One of its standout tracks, Moonlight Flight, is a must-have for ​DJs. With Tatsuo Hayashi's precise yet soulful drumming, this ​mellow city pop gem brims with bittersweet vibes.

Shigeru Suzuki's neo-soul-style arrangement harmonizes ​perfectly with the flow of this playlist, flowing seamlessly after ​Taeko Onuki's Tokai.

Melody is a track from Kenjiro Sakiya's fourth original album, ​Tada Ichidodake no Eien, released in 1990.

The song was composed by Sakiya himself, with lyrics written by ​Goro Matsui, often referred to as "the sixth member of ​Anzenchitai."

Marvin Gaye's What's Going On-inspired arrangement was ​expertly arranged by Satoshi Takebe.

Morning Subway is a track from Masato Arai's pivotal debut solo ​album, released in 1987.

From the intro to the opening melody, it’s unmistakable that the ​song pays homage to Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The ​Ecology)—something you’ll instantly recognize.

As a quintessential CITY POP classic, it’s a perfect fit for the flow ​of this playlist.

Rainbow Sea Line is a track from Minako Yoshida's second ​studio album, MINAKO, released in 1975.

The lyrics were written by Minako Yoshida herself, while the ​composition was by Hiroshi Sato, one of the key figures in the ​CITY POP scene.

The song was later re-recorded by Hiroshi Sato on his 1976 ​album SUPER MARKET.

However, I personally prefer the Minako Yoshida version, with its ​neo-soul arrangement, rich in black music grooves.

Of course, it’s a perfect fit for this playlist!

A stunning track from the debut album Typhoon Lady by the ​"Aretha Franklin of Osaka," Ruriko Ohgami, released in 1977!

Her voice, remarkably unique for a Japanese artist, combined ​with the funky backing performance by The Bakers' Shop, makes ​this an exceptional example of Japanese soul.

The soulful Sexy Woman, with its perfect balance of mellow ​vibes, is a must-know for any CITY POP fan.

Of course, for DJs, this album is an essential item!

Toru Yazawa, also known as "Kin-chan," was the guest drummer ​for Brown Rice, the predecessor to Yasunori Sōryō & Jim Rock ​Singers, famous for the CITY POP masterpiece "City Lights by ​the Moonlight."

He later formed the folk trio Alice with Shinji Tanimura and ​Takao Horiuchi, where he was considered the most understated ​member. In 1978, Yazawa released his groundbreaking first solo ​album VARIETY-TOUR, an all-original work marking the later ​period of Alice.

And now, the track we're introducing from this album to the ​playlist is Holiday, a standout Japanese free soul track with a ​tight rhythm, sophisticated arrangement, and the soothing sound ​of the flute—definitely one of the album's highlights!

Known for her 1974 hit song "Watashi wa Naiteimasu," Japanese ​singer-songwriter Lily (the artist known for that hit) released her ​album AUROILA in 1976.

The entire album was arranged by Ryuichi Sakamoto, with ​backing by the Bye Bye Session Band, featuring Sakamoto ​himself, Ginji Ito, Ken Yoshida, Nobu Saito, and Hiroshi Uehara.

While the album showcases a perfect collection of rare groove ​tracks, the song we're introducing in this playlist is the mellow ​soul gem 'CAUSE WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER. With Lily’s husky ​voice and impressive musical skills, this Philly-style track stands ​out as one of the album's highlights.

Takako Mamiya, who released only one album before ​disappearing from the music scene in 1982.

It wasn’t Japanese fans, but CITY POP enthusiasts from outside ​Japan who rediscovered and reassessed this masterpiece album.

I can't help but deeply admire and respect these international ​CITY POP fans for this phenomenon!

The track we're introducing in this playlist is Kanashimi wa Yoru ​no Mukou.

Keiko Saijo, a female singer from Ibaraki Prefecture, released her ​album Twilight Silence in 1981.

Her vocal ability, which spans from jazz to enka, combined with a ​perfectly balanced mature charm, is exquisite. This album ​features a CITY POP-inspired sound, with arrangements by ​Hiroshi Suzuki, which stand out nicely!

Among the tracks on this album, "ASIDE-1. Light and Shadow " ​and "ASIDE-3. Seicial Island " also have a great bossa feel, but ​the track I recommend for this playlist is the mellow CITY POP ​song "BSIDE-1. 'Okaerinasai '," composed by Kyōhei Tsutsumi!

Kazushi Inamura's 1977 album Free Flight, released under the ​name Kazushi Inamura & DAI1KAN DAI100SHO, is a masterpiece ​that blends the influence of the Tin Pan Alley style with the early ​Niagara sound pioneered by Eiichi Ohtaki, creating a high-purity ​CITY POP album.

This early CITY POP group has even been called the "Northern ​Sugababes."

There’s a famous story that Eiichi Ohtaki personally traveled to ​Hokkaido to scout Kazushi Inamura for the Niagara label. As a ​singer-songwriter, Inamura is definitely an artist to check out for ​any CITY POP fan!

The track we're introducing in this playlist is Goyojin, a smooth ​AOR number that was featured as the B-side of his solo single ​"Frozen Heart" after Inamura changed his artist name.

"ONE ON ONE (You're the one)" is a track from SHŌGUN's 1980 ​album YOU'RE THE ONE.

Unlike the sound of their previous album ROTATION, which ​featured the iconic theme song for the TV drama Detective Story ​by Yūsaku Matsuda, this album presents a West Coast AOR-​influenced style.

"ONE ON ONE (You're the one)" is such a standout track that it ​was later self-covered by Fujimaru Yoshino himself in his own ​solo work.

Released in July 1982, Yoshino Fujimaru's debut solo album ​Yoshino Fujimaru was released during a transitional period, ​between the breakup of SHOGUN (around 1980) and the ​formation of AB'S (1982).

The album features members who would later join AB'S—​Makoto Matsushita (guitar), Naoki Watanabe (bass), and Atsuo ​Okamoto (drums)—giving it a sound that predates AB'S.

The album is divided into two sides: "in the Daytime" for side A ​and "in the Nighttime" for side B, offering the perfect vibe for ​both daytime and nighttime listening, capturing the true essence ​of CITY POP.

From this album, we’re introducing "Free Way 5 to South," the ​final track on side A. It showcases Yoshino Fujimaru’s vocals and ​guitar, with beautiful chorus work by Matsushita, Watanabe, and ​Okamoto—truly a relaxing and enjoyable piece for the playlist.

One of the pioneers of Japanese R&B divas, Noriko Miyamoto!

'LOVELY CITY' is a track from her second album NORIKO, ​released in 1982 after she signed with Polystar.

From this album, which captures a clear direction with a ​sophisticated AOR flavor, we’re introducing the ultra-smooth, ​urban mellow CITY POP track 'LOVELY CITY' to the playlist!

Hitomi Toyama, a female singer from Okinawa known for her ​beautiful, soaring voice, released her debut album Just Call Me ​Penny in 1981.

Her vocals combine a refreshing quality balanced with just the ​right amount of soulful depth, and the backing band, the 24th ​Street Band, provides an outstanding groove.

The album is filled with great tracks, from the impressive intro ​and drum break of 'A2. My Guy' to the mellow groove of 'A4. ​Rainy Driver' and the upbeat 'B2. Baby, Baby, Baby.' But the ​standout track is undoubtedly the uplifting, mellow dance tune ​'A3. Image Change.' The building intensity in the music is ​absolutely fantastic—it's a true classic.

‘Shinju No Pierce’ is a track from Yumi Matsutoya’s 13th original ​album PEARL PIERCE, released in 1982.

Inspired by the intro guitar riff from Orleans' ‘Dance with Me,’ ​‘Shinju No Pierce’ is a great example of Yumi Matsutoya’s ​distinctive take on the West Coast sound, crafted into a timeless ​CITY POP classic.